• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2012

The expression profiles of inflammatory cytokines viz. interleukins (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-12, granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, interferon-${\gamma}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in response to subclinical mastitis in indigenous cattle breed Kankrej (n = 6), Gir (Bos indicus) (n = 12) and crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) (n = 7) were investigated using quantitative real time PCR. Significant correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between total bacterial load and somatic cell count (SCC) in all three breeds of cattle. All the cytokines were observed to be up-regulated compared to cows with healthy quarters, however, level of their expression varied among three breeds of cattle. In Kankrej most cytokines were found to be transcribed to higher levels than in other two breeds; the milk had higher load of bacteria but not so high SCC, implying that Kankrej has a higher inherent resistance against mastitis. The results of present study indicated that mammary glands of crossbred cattle are more sensitive to bacterial infection than indigenous breed of cattle as they elicit immune response at lower bacterial load and result into higher SCC. Research on identification of factors responsible for differentially expressed cytokines profiles and use of cytokines as immunomodulatory tools can pave way for formulating control strategies against bovine mastitis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1487-1494
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• 2009

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays well-defined roles in eliciting immune responses and combating infectious diseases. The major histocompatibility complex of cattle is referred to as BoLA (Bovine Lymphocyte Antigen). This genetic system is among the most polymorphic. In the present study, polymorphism of the BoLA- DRB3.2 locus in three Bos indicus breeds viz., Sahiwal, Rathi and Hariana was studied by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism technique using the enzymes RsaI, Bst Y1 and Hae III. Both Sahiwal and Rathi are good Indian dairy breeds and survive under tough tropical conditions, while Hariana is a prominent dual-purpose breed reared both as a dairy animal and for bullock production. A total of 30 different BoLADRB3.2 alleles were observed to be present in the 3 Bos indicus breeds. Certain alleles were common amongst the three breeds while there were others that were unique to each breed. Allelic distribution amongst the three breeds showed that each breed had a unique allelic distribution pattern that was different from each other and also different from the earlier breeds studied so far for the existence of allelic variation at this locus. A dendogram was constructed based on the frequencies of the BoLA-DRB3 alleles using the UPGMA method. The Rathi and Hariana animals were genetically the most apart. The Hariana animals clustered on a different branch from the other two breeds viz. the Rathi and the Sahiwal. The smallest genetic distances for the DRB3 alleles were those between Sahiwal and Rathi (0.5461) while genetic distance between Hariana and Sahiwal was 0.6123. A comparison of the allelic frequencies of the BoLADRB3.2 locus in these 3 breeds viz. Sahiwal, Hariana and Rathi with the allelic frequencies present in the previously characterized Bos indicus Kankrej breed, which is a dual purpose breed reared both as a draught and a dairy animal, showed that the Bos indicus Sahiwal and Rathi breeds clustered into one group while the Hariana and Kankrej breeds formed another group. The Rathi and Sahiwal showed the least genetic distance of 0.5461 amongst the breeds whereas the Rathi and Kankrej, with a Nei''s genetic distance of 1.1622, were genetically the most distant apart.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.449-456
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• 2011

Eighteen different biometric traits in 407 Kankrej cows from their breeding zone, i.e. Palanpur district of Gujarat, India, were recorded and analyzed by factor analysis to explain body conformation. The averages of body length, height at withers, height at shoulder, height at knee, heart girth, paunch girth, face length, face width, horn length, horn diameter, distance between horns, ear length, ear width, neck length, neck diameter, tail length with switch, tail length without switch and distance between hip bones were $123.44{\pm}0.37$, $124.49{\pm}0.28$, $94.68{\pm}0.30$, $38.2{\pm}0.14$, $162.56{\pm}0.56$, $178.95{\pm}0.70$, $44.09{\pm}0.10$, $15.91{\pm}0.05$, $42.47{\pm}0.53$, $26.07{\pm}0.19$, $13.34{\pm}0.08$, $31.24{\pm}0.12$, $16.10{\pm}0.05$, $50.63{\pm}0.18$, $73.21{\pm}0.32$, $111.62{\pm}0.53$, $89.34{\pm}0.34$ and $17.28{\pm}0.10\;cm$, respectively. The correlation coefficients between different traits ranged from -0.806 (horn diameter and distance between horns) to 0.815 (heart girth and paunch girth). Most of the correlations were positive and significant. Factor analysis with promax rotation with power 3 revealed three factors which explained about 66.02% of the total variation. Factor 1 described the cow body and explained 38.89% of total variation. The second factor described the front view/face of the cow and explained 19.68% of total variation. The third factor described the back of the cow and explained 7.44% of total variation. It was necessary to include some more variables for factor 3 to obtain a reliable estimate of the back view of the cow. The lower communities shown for distance between horns, horn diameter, ear width and neck diameter indicated that these traits did not contribute effectively to explaining body conformation and can be dropped from recording, whereas all other traits are important and needed to explain body conformation in Kankrej cows. The result suggests that principal component analysis (PCA) could be used in breeding programs with a drastic reduction in the number of biometric traits to be recorded to explain body conformation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.253-259
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• 1997

Holstein Friesian and Jersey crossbreds are being widely introduced in the state of Gujarat in India. This paper evaluates feeding practices at farm level and examines whether the crossbreds fit into the existing mixed farm systems. Over a period of four years milk-offtake and feeds offered were recorded for 1331 cows at fortnightly intervals. The breed and the amount of concentrates fed contributed most to the variation in milk offtake. The introduction of crossbred cattle has a major impact on smallholder mixed farming systems. Crossbreds produced, on average, 1.8 times more milk than Desi, Gir, and Kankrej cows. They were fed 1.4 times more concentrates, and about 1.2 times more green and dry feeds than local cows. The major limiting constraint is the quality of the roughages offered. Farmers with crossbreds try to adjust their feeding of concentrates according to the needs of their cows. On tribal farms, local cows produced less milk than on non-tribal farms, whereas crossbreds produced the same amount of milk on both tribal and non-tribal farms. Crossbreds fit into the farming systems of both tribal and non-tribal farmers. The differences in agro-climatic characteristics between different areas in Gujarat were not reflected in differences in milk offtakes.